Old Trinity Episcopal Church on Courthouse Square is to continue its Advent tradition of an English Afternoon Tea followed by a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
This will be the 30th year for this event, to take place Dec. 3.
The 5 p.m. service is to feature the Old Trinity choir, directed by Choirmaster Seth Innis, singing hymns and Christmas carols. Members of the congregation will be invited to participate in singing many of the well-known carols.
The nine lessons from the Old and New Testaments tell the story of events leading to the birth of Christ. Members of the community, clergy and congregation are to do the readings.
The form of the service follows closely the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held in Kings College Chapel, Cambridge, England. The service has been in use in England since 1918 and has been broadcast around the world every Christmas Eve since 1928.
One sitting of an English afternoon tea is to be offered before the church service at 4 p.m. in the church's undercroft, which will be decorated to reflect Old Trinity's Victorian heritage. The first Episcopal church in Tiffin was built in 1856. The cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1887.
The traditional afternoon tea will feature sandwiches, scones, shortbread, jam tarts, sweet breads and tea or coffee. A $5 fee is required for the tea. For reservations, call (419) 448-0049.
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at Old Trinity, and Sunday school also is at 10 a.m.
